Do tesco sims still work in o2 phones?

Rev

As above really, uncle just got a lumia 620 as a gift, he's on tesco phone is locked to o2. Can't try the sim as he's waiting for the micro sim to arrive.

Was wondering if anyone can confirm they still work? If not I can try and get it unlocked.

grumbler

It has to work.

Rev

Can I ask why it has to?

Sorry if that's a stupid question.

spannerzone

Tesco use O2's network so yes, it'll work.

edit: a bit more searching suggests that actually it may not ! - it seems some say that O2 phones will work happily with a tesco SIM but not necessarily vice versa.

It seems that MVNO supplied phones (mobile virtual network operator like Tesco, Virgin, Asda, etc) have a double lock unlike proper network supplied phones (first I'd heard about it)

grumbler

Normally all virtual sub-networks sim cards work in phones locked to the main network (but not vicer-versa). Tesco Mobile is a virtual network using O2.

Rev

Thank you. Guess all we can do is wait for the sim to arrive and see.

spannerzone

Sorry I got confused as you said Tesco phone locked to O2 (I misread and made assumption is was on the Tesco network, piggybacked from O2)

Time for a lie down

Rev

Sorry. I missed a word. He is with Tesco mobile. The phone is locked to O2

Neil49

Yes, a Tesco sim will work in a phone locked to O2 but an O2 sim will probably not work in a phone locked into the Tesco network because Tesco lock them in a way that limits their use even though they use the same basic network.

pmfrench

Hi,

Looking at the this thread, I still can't determine whether the original poster confirmed whether the tesco SIM works in the O2 locked Lumia 620. It seemed to be based on (reasonable) assumption.

Can anyone confirm it does work OK out of the box?

Thanks

Paul

Buzby

It has NOTHING to do with who the 'virtual' network is - it is all down to how the individual handset has been programmed. There are several levels of SIM locks which can permit full access to the base network (in this case O2 everywhere) or only O2 UK. Tesco can choose to lock down their handsets so only a branded TESCO SIM will work - it has nothing to do with either the SIM or network.

This results in the potential issue where one batch of identical handsets will work whilst another will not. It would be a fool that suggests there would be no problem on the basis that as the 'same' network would be used, it would do so automatically. It might do, but Sod's law dictates it would not. As all phones require customisation after manufacture, this is usually done by an intermediary who will program/box and brand stock as required.

So in answer to the OP - unless sourced from Tesco you have no complaint if it rejects the SIM.